SSN

Software Serial Number

This numeric system variable returns the serial number of the Thoroughbred Basic installed on this computer or network system.

Syntax

SSN

Remarks

The SSN is formatted to be a nine-digit number and should be moved to a string of nine positions to avoid the loss of leading zeros, for example:

LET SERIAL_NUMBER$ = STR(SSN:"000000000")

The first two digits signify the size class of system for which this Thoroughbred Basic was intended. The next two digits indicate the maximum number of simultaneous tasks that Thoroughbred Basic can handle. The remaining five digits represent a serial number that is unique within SSN’s having the same first four digits.

The SSN tells Thoroughbred Basic the type and size of the system upon which it is installed and allows Thoroughbred Basic to configure certain internal tables and establishes a level of expectation associated with activity levels.

Since the SSN is unique, it can be used for software security by testing from within a program for an SSN of a specific value. If the test is performed at a program line number or label above 00100 and the program is PSAVEd or ENCRYPTed, then it cannot be LISTed. The developing programmer can then use this program to setup necessary variables and functions for continued processing or prohibit entry into normal system operations if the wrong SSN is detected.

Examples

PRINT SSN

could return a value of 102001485.

PRINT SSN

could display a value of 500105. This is a typical Microsoft Windows SSN where the class size of the system is 00 and the number of tasks code is 05.

SSN

Syntax

Remarks

Examples

See also